A real kingfisher perching on a branch of a tree on the bank of the canal at the plastic animal garden this morning and then possibly the same kingfisher perching over the water in a low bush opposite Meggetland on the way home.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Wildlife highlight of the day
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Posted 4 years ago #
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A large & noisy crowd of mostly unseen sparrows in the bushes along the WoL footpath just before Sandport Place at lunchtime today. Pretty nice, especially as I haven't seen sparrows in town for ages.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Apparently Irish Whaup’s numbers in very bad decline. Native breeding pairs that is. Actual number of curlews much more buoyant as they have many migrants from Eastern Europe.
Scotland appears to be doing better as we have introduced incentives to farmers to maintain habitat. Particularly good example in Clyde Valley (high upper reaches) at Crawfordjohn. With wet areas left by the farmer Doug Telfer.
I am drawn to Crawfordjohn. I see a nice looking wee route when I am cycling to Ayr. There and back might be a bit of a slog but as part of a touring route through the middle of nowhere. Also quite low chance but nevertheless possible way of finding good gold. (Lying face down in the river which is called Sniping for Gold).
Posted 4 years ago # -
I stopped to watch a kingfisher catch a fish opposite the playing fields at Wester Hailes on my way home from the picket line this afternoon.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Biologist comrades spotted a waxwing at KB this morning.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@Frenchy
Excellent news. Eyes peeled!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Saw a fox with a death wish running across the road in Holyrood Park between the two roundabouts near the Commonwealth Pool.
Video: https://twitter.com/Lollercake/status/1202302763784450048
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bl00dy foxes- no high viz or helmets
Posted 4 years ago # -
I spotted someone on a bike stopped to the side of the towpath just before Gogar Station Road this morning so stopped alongside them and asked what they had spotted. They pointed out a very well hidden kingfisher perched on the branch of a tree on the opposite bank which I likely would have missed otherwise. We admired it and chatted about kingfishers for a couple of minutes before it took off and flew west, at which point we decided to leave too. I spotted it again briefly on the far side of the bridge.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Heard but did not see a little owl around Seafield crematorium yestereve.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Inadvertently Chased then has a nice close view of a sparrowhawk out by Quite New Winton
Posted 4 years ago # -
Watched jdanielp’s kingfisher alight on a branch, linger then fly along to the next bridge at Hermiston House, where i lost it.
Cycled under a buzzard on the road sign which eventually flew off then was joined by its mate I think or possibly a juvenile. Kirknewton back road
Posted 4 years ago # -
I chased a sparrowhawk through the trees down the Auchendinny path at about 30mph once. I was right behind her. Unforgettable.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Sparrowhawks are great. I'm not so good at id'ing them when they're not doing the classic dash and grab behaviour
Posted 4 years ago # -
@gembo good spotting! I've not seen it (or them) for a week or so now.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Quite pronounced copper/brown chest on the one I followed
Posted 4 years ago # -
Sorry, I meant when they're up high soaring or commuting
Posted 4 years ago # -
@amir, that was jdanielp’s kingfisher. I am only good with sparowhawks same as you when they batter through hedges
Posted 4 years ago # -
Hermitage of Braid at lunchtime today: a fossicking wren, a preening and singing dipper, a buzzard being mobbed in a fairly desultory fashion by a lone crow, a small flock of redwing, a greater spotted woodpecker, two or three bullfinches, and the usual blue tits and great tits by the bucket load.
Down at Blackford Pond: a grey wagtail wagging its way around the old curling pond, a pair of swans with two of what I assume wold be this year's cygnets on the island, moorhen, black headed gulls and mallard (one pair apparently fast asleep at the edge of the pond) but no tufties.
Posted 4 years ago # -
A pied wagtail has taken up residence outside my local Co-op where it forages for crumbs on the pavement. Smart and adaptable bird.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I think an owl swooped by in front of me as I cycled along the short core path between the traffic island road crossing by the north gate of Heriot-Watt and Hermiston House Road as I was leaving work around 6 pm, although I didn't see its head to be more sure... Definitely some kind of bird off prey.
Posted 4 years ago # -
As usual, I was scanning the overhanging branches on the far side of the canal looking for kingfishers as I cycled through Kingsknowe this morning. This led to me catching a movement out of the corner of my eye as something fairly large dove into the water. I slowed down and then spotted a trail of bubbles rising from below and moving fairly rapidly at times. A dark, slick, furry head popped up briefly and then dove again, heading along the canal in the same direction that I was travelling so I followed it slowly. The bubble trail headed for the far bank and the largest otter that I've ever seen (although others that I have spotted have usually been far away or partially submerged...) emerged onto the bank for a few moments, snuffled around a bit, most probably marking its territory, and then headed back into the water. I followed it for a while longer as it headed towards the ice opposite Hailes Quarry Park and spotted it a couple more times. The final time it also spotted me and had a good, long look at me before submerging, this time leaving no evidence as to where it had gone.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@jdanielp - How thrilling. I've seen an otter in the Highlands once, but never in the city. And the canal!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ace update JDP. Great spot!
Posted 4 years ago # -
@jdp
You are blessed, brother.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Very fine, robust looking kestrel flying along ahead of me as I pedalled up the road from the nursery and horse hostel at Mortonhall towards Frogston Road West.
I wonder whether the otter that jdp spotted was the same one that I saw in the WoL at West Mill a while back? I've no idea how large otters will roam, or how large their territories are. Would be nice to think that SW Edinburgh has something that might qualify as a population of otters, rather than just the odd one.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Riding home this evening I had too much energy for once, and diverted to take the railway path from Loanhead to Roslin. I stopped halfway along the Bilston viaduct and switched all my lights off, to look at the stars. I enjoyed it so much that I stopped again just after Dryden Farm. I couldn't see anything because it was dark, but the owls were out and about. One or two were screeching as they flew otherwise noiselessly somewhere above me.
Posted 4 years ago # -
That path is the only place I've seen an owl in the wild since moving to Edinburgh. The owl was as surprised as I was.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Saw a big old heron pottering about in the sea as the tide was coming at Porty prom last night. Think that's the first time I've seen one in sea water.
On otter chat, the otters have been spotted in Figgate Park again but i've yet to see them. Was in Treviso a while back and the place is over-run with otters. There's a bit where the river splits and there's an island in the middle. Otters have one bank, ducks have the island and rabbits have the other bank.
Posted 4 years ago # -
A very noticeable kingfisher with its back to the towpath just beyond the Ashley Drive linking path. I assume that it had identified a patch of clear water at the far edge of the canal and/or was doing its best to ignore commuters.
Posted 4 years ago #
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